Caspian Business News
29 January - 4 February
France's GDF Suez Says Interested in Turkmen Gas
Reuters, 4 February 2010
"French power and gas group GDF Suez is interested in developing Turkmen gas and shipping it from the Central Asian state to Europe, Turkmen state television quoted a GDF executive as saying on Thursday."
Total to Begin Absheron Drilling in September
Oil and Gas Journal, 3 February 2010
"The Total SA-led consortium plans to begin drilling its first exploration well on the Absheron block off Azerbaijan in September, according to a senior official of State Oil Co. of Azerbaijan Republic."
Bulgaria Ratifies Nabucco Gas Pipeline Agreement
People's Daily, 3 February 2010
"Bulgaria Wednesday ratified an agreement to build the European Union-backed Nabucco gas pipeline, which will help reduce its dependence on Russian gas."
Kazakhstan Wants Stake in Karachaganak Field to Get More Profit
Bloomberg, 1 February 2010
"Kazakhstan wants a stake in the BG Group Plc-led Karachaganak field to increase the country’s profit from the venture, the state oil company said."
Caspian Energy: Washington Trying New Tack in Nabucco Project
Eurasianet.org, 1 February 2010
"The United States wants to "depoliticize" the proposed Nabucco pipeline project, and might welcome Russia’s participation in the pipeline, Washington’s Eurasian energy envoy, Richard Morningstar, recently announced. The Kremlin, however, is likely to interpret this outwardly magnanimous gesture as a sign of Nabucco’s weakness, some experts say."
Nabucco at Center of Gas Politics
Wall Street Journal, 1 February 2010
"Running one of Europe's most controversial infrastructure projects can at times get a little intense. In the Floridotower, overlooking central Vienna, Reinhard Mitschek, managing director of Nabucco Gas Pipeline project, pauses for breath."
Kazakhstan Eager to Win Back Energy Assets
UPI, 29 January 2010
"Kazakhstan is trying to extract more cash from domestic oil and gas fields developed by Western companies in a move some observers fear is part of a greater strategy to win back influence over key industries."
Kazakhstan to Double Metals Output Within Five Years
Bloomberg, 29 January 2010
"Kazakhstan, the largest oil producer in Central Asia, must double metals production and exports within five years, President Nursultan Nazarbayev said."
Kazakh President Calls For OSCE Summit In Astana
Radio Free Europe, 29 January 2010
"Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev today called for the first Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) summit of heads of state in 11 years to be held in Astana, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reports."
KAZAKHSTAN NEWS
Kazakh PM Orders New Oil Tax Rules to be Drafted
Reuters (Via Yahoo), 4 February 2010
"Kazakh Prime Minster Karim Masimov ordered the government on Thursday to draft new tax rules to abolish tax exemptions for foreign firms working on large oil and gas projects in the Central Asia state."
Kazakh Currency Reserves Rise $3.2 Billion in January to Record
Bloomberg, 4 February 2010
"Kazakhstan’s international currency and gold reserves jumped $3.2 billion in January to a record high $26.4 billion, the central bank said on its Web site today."
Kazakhstan Sets 20-Nation Entry Target by 2020
Gazeta, 4 February 2010
"Kazakhstan must enter the top 20 countries with the most favorable business climate by 2020, Nazarbayev said, adding this was necessary to ensure stable development of the country's economy."
Kazakh Papers Say Libel Suit Bid to Control Media
Reuters, 3 February 2010
"Two Kazakh newspapers on Wednesday criticised a libel suit brought by President Nursultan Nazarbayev's son-in-law against them, saying it was an attempt to muzzle the country's independent media."
Kazakh Banks' Bad Loans to Peak in 2010 - S&P
Reuters (via Yahoo), 2 February 2010
"Bad loans held by Kazakh banks are set to peak this year and investors are already showing interest in fresh Kazakh debt, despite a number of unfinished restructuring deals, a Standard & Poor's analyst told Reuters."
Kazakhstan: Nazarbayev Sets Ambitious Development Agenda for Astana
Eurasianet.org, 1 February 2010
"With Kazakhstan’s economy on the up-tick, President Nursultan Nazarbayev is setting some ambitious development goals for the Central Asian state."
Kazakhstan: Foreign Minister's Arrival in Washington Highlights Democratization vs. Security Debate
Eurasianet.org, 1 February 2010
"Kazakhstan’s foreign minister, Kanat Saudabayev, is in Washington from February 1-4. He is expected to seek US backing for two prestige events: a summit of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe to be held in Kazakhstan; and a one-on-one meeting between US President Barack Obama and Kazakhstani President Nursultan Nazarbayev."
Kazakhstan: Bridging the East and West
New Europe, 31 January 2010
"The attention of the Euro-Atlantic community is increasingly focusing on Kazakhstan as it chairs since January 1st the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe. Few in Europe know, however, that Kazakhstan is no stranger to leading major international forums and, more importantly, in contributing to strengthening international security."
Kazakhs Protest Against China's Growing Influence
Reuters, 30 January 2010
"Kazakh protesters scuffled with police on Saturday at a rally against their government's burgeoning ties with neighbouring China."
CASPIAN REGION NEWS
Turkmenistan: Berdymukhamedov Seeks Prestige in Paris
Eurasianet.org, 3 February 2010
"It seems fitting that opaque is the best word to describe Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov’s just-concluded visit to the City of Light."
Tajiks Despair as Soviet - Style Election Looms
New York Times, 2 February 2010
"Umida Abdurakhmonova, a Tajik woman selling herbs in a small tumbledown market, looks puzzled when asked about a parliamentary election due in less than a month in her impoverished Central Asian homeland."